m 
ISPAHAN TO TEHERAN. 
highest point. It rises in a very symmetrical cone abruptly from a 
long and unbroken range. It is covered with eternal snows, but its 
height is more easily deduced from the distance to which it is visible. 
In a direct line from the caravanserai of Gueberabad , that distance 
could not have been less than one hundred and fifty miles; and the 
Persians declare that it can be seen even at Ispahan from the minaret 
of the Mesjid Shah , which is at least two hundred and forty miles 
distant. We descended rapidly into the plain towards Kashan: here 
we were met by a large istakball , which accompanied us to the 
Northern side of the city with all the noises of Persian rejoicings.* 
From Kashan we continued along the immense plain; the moun¬ 
tains, which bind it on the North, just appeared in the lightest blue 
tints on the edge of the horizon. From Kashan to our encampment 
at Nusserabad , we saw on the skirts E. and W. of the plain several 
villages, and with them cultivation. On the left of the road were 
Cosac , Key, Ser , Badgoon , Bouand , Corabad: on the right, Aroim , 
Britgoli, Nouchabad , and All Abad. We reckoned the total length of 
the day’s journey at thirty miles (on a bearing of N. 20 W.) viz. eight 
to Gueberabad , thirteen to Kashan , and nine to Nusserabad. In former 
days the people of Nusserabad were noted for their idleness and pro¬ 
pensity to voluptuousness, so that a fine gentleman is still called a 
Mirza of Nusserabad. 
On the morning of the lltli we quitted our tents two hours before 
sun-rise, as we had a march of forty miles before us to Koom; the 
Persians call the distance fifteen furaungs. We continued our route 
* “ At Kashan , according to the second Minister of the kingdom, who seemed devoutly 
u to credit his own story, is a well, which we did not see. There is a descent of six 
(t months to the bottom, and in the different stages of the journey the traveller comes to 
H plains and rivers. Some have gone down and never appeared again. These are tales 
“ which to a Persian are not incredible, though they will not believe that the streets of 
H London are lighted, or that there are in Europe houses seven stories high.” 
